Escape to Healdsburg and the Surprise Negramaro

Some friends of ours recently purchased their “villa” in Healdsburg and we were fortunate enough to be invited up for a fabulous weekend. Our hosts both love good food and wine and both share in culinary talents. We were treated to relaxing glass of wine on the deck upon arrival and followed by a healthy and sumptuous meal.

They have quite a collection of wines and asked me to select some reds (he was specific in requesting red) for dinner. With two seafood dishes, shrimp & chorizo and cod with an herb crust, I was looking for a high acid red. I asked to be directed to the Italian red or European red section. Much to my delight he did have some and they were all Wine Unleashed Selections!!! His wonderful California collection was acquired mostly by him but there still some WU selections in there.

The complete stunner of the night was the 2001 VAlle Dell’Asso, Piromáfo, Negramaro IGT Salento Italy. Even better was that the wine neck tag had the maturity date of 2011 and recommended fish stew or herb-roasted pork. I could not have wished for a better pairing. But truly, the wine was just beaming on its own.

The next day we went in search of some food but fine dining was not our goal. We we wanted to try the new Mateo's Cocina Latina but it was not open so we happily went to The Wurst. If you love sausage and great beers on tap this is the place for you. They either make them there or have them shipped in as the owner, Charles Bell, is a Detroit native. It all hit the spot—-sunshine, good wine, good food and good friends.